Ron Kims father gave up a world-spanning
career as a construction engineer to get his wife and son away from
the fiercely competitive "rat race and corruption in
post-war South Korea. They came to America, where democracy had
fueled endless opportunities for middle-class living and upward
mobility. Using their savings, Rons parents opened a corner
grocery store in New York City. They worked 12-hour days, 7-days
a week, and didnt earn much money. Ron got bullied in elementary
school because he couldnt speak English. But he didnt
tell them. He saw their stress and, instead, helped in the store
when he could. The ups and downs of the store, including a painful
bankruptcy and borrowing, seared into him a desire to help working
people. He won a full scholarship to college and later a fellowship
for a masters degree in public policy. He spurned a chance to earn
big money in Boston to return home to Flushing and intern in local
government. He loved solving community problems. After a few years
and a failed try, he was elected to the state Assembly where he
works on laws to help the small business community.